The complexity of how oil gets produced involves exploration, development, technology, maritime transport, pipelines and lots and lots of money. And politics.
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Attendees at the Global Maritime Environmental Congress (GMEC) held in Hamburg earlier this month were able, during the course of an excellent programme, to discuss many of the maritime issues that demand to be addressed in a constructive way: openly, frankly and publicly.
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What would life be like if the system for refuelling automobiles resembled that which is in existence for bunkering ships? Chaos on stilts, you might retort, if you just think of half the curious regime that exists in the world of maritime bunkers. You drive up to the gas station, with every expectation that the product you are to purchase will be the exact specification indicated on the pump.
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If you are looking for the successors to those amazing seamen who used to swarm around the rigging of the “down-easters” and China clippers, rushing up the ratlines in freezing gales off Cape Horn, you can possibly find them among the stevedoring fraternity.
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Many foreign visitors to the United States have experienced a degree of discomfort, during what are described as "customs formalities", that adds a ringing climax to the customary torment of modern travel.
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When we first set out to establish this blog we put the key values of Clean seas, safe ships and environmental protection as our mantra and launched a 'ginger group' to convey our thoughts , but we really wanted to use the maritime community to drive these goals and help shape opinion.
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How would your company respond if you were to send a stores indent for some explosive harpoons? Or perhaps a few underwater explosive charges that will make no lasting impression upon the stout plates of your ship, but make literal mincemeat (or perhaps a stew) of a frogman attempting to clamp a torpedo containing narcotics to the bilge keels of your ship?
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So this week, I'm in Hamburg for the bi-annual shipbuilding and ship machinery behemoth that is SMM and have been kindly asked by Jochen Deerberg to speak at his new environmental conference that runs parallel to the exhibition.
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One is increasingly wary about accepting all the health related advice that pours unendingly out of the various media. A glass of red wine will keep your arteries from clogging up, but give you a greater chance of contracting prostate cancer.
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I am delighted to see that my fellow World Maritime University board member and crewing agency head, Doris Ho is making good progress with her campaign to get seafarers access to wifi while they are stuck aboard their vessels in ports.
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